Associate Preschool Teacher 2024-2025

ABOUT US

The Primary School is creating a new school model that brings together all of the adults in a child’s life, including parents, educators, and medical and mental health providers, starting from a very early age. We recognize the entrenched racism that exists within our public systems and the unjust impact this has had on families of color. Our aim is that children and families most impacted by systemic poverty and racism receive the multidisciplinary support they deserve to be well, learn, and thrive. 

Long-term, we hope to create a game-changing model that can be replicated across the country. As we continue to learn and grow, we plan to share what we’ve learned and pursue policy and systems change on a local, state, and national level. We are supported by a growing coalition of philanthropic partners, building on the generous support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Our approach has three defining characteristics:

• We start early. We start working with children as young as 12 months and provide full-time school starting at age three to reach them at a critical stage in development. 
• We partner with parents. We believe that when parents thrive, children thrive, so we support the wellness and growth of parents alongside the growth of their children.
• We integrate services. Our unique model unites health care and education, building a multi-disciplinary team and holistic system of care around a child’s full needs.

In 2016, we opened our flagship school in East Palo Alto, California, with our first class of four year olds. We have grown to serve over 400 children and their families through a birth to three program, parent wellness program, full-day preschool, and elementary/middle school, which will grow through eighth grade. In 2021, we opened our second site in the East Bay.

ABOUT OUR EAST PALO ALTO SITE

We are continuing to grow our East Palo Alto site and are excited to launch 7th grade for our 2024-2025 school year. In our school program, we currently serve over 400 students across two preschool grades (3 and 4 year olds) and kindergarten through sixth grade. Integrated into our program are the other core components of our model including our parent program - partnering closely with parents throughout their child’s development and providing wellness programming for caregivers; our birth to 3 program - coordinating early developmental screenings and intervention services; and our medical home partnerships - working with existing health care providers in the community to coordinate care for children.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Associate Teacher (Preschool) reports to the School Leader and is responsible for a subset of content and skills. They work with the support of the Lead Teacher and in partnership with other Associate Teachers to integrate their lessons into larger units. Associate Teachers teach multiple blocks during the day, providing them with the opportunity to quickly implement feedback and improve their practice. Responsibilities of this role will grow and deepen as the year progresses and the Associate Teacher gains more confidence and skill in leading small and whole group instruction. We believe in developing talent from within. Associate Teachers receive regular coaching support and opportunities to practice literacy and math instruction so that they may grow into Lead Teachers. 

This role reports to the Principal  and will be a part of the East Palo Alto site team. This position follows an instructional calendar.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate Teacher will be responsible for: 

• Weekly and daily instructional planning tailored to the needs of each child
• Instructional delivery in large group, small group, and individualized formats
• Regular assessment and analysis of quantitative and qualitative student data with the goal of tailoring responsive instruction and support 
• Ongoing collaboration with the Lead Teacher to create enriching, positive, joyful classroom climate and rigorous academic content 
• Collaboration with other teachers to practice skills and jointly problem solve
• Regular meetings with and outreach to families 
• Proactive collaboration and frequent engagement with The Primary School Parent Coaches and staff, and external health practitioners and partners
• Participation in reflection and coaching, both 1:1 with the School Leader and in group context with colleagues 

The critical features of this role are described above but are not all encompassing; as our school grows and evolves your responsibilities may shift accordingly.

QUALIFICATIONS

• You have one or two years of teaching experience, or completion of a